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Joshua 4:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 4:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah were come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests` feet were lifted up unto the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah were come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests` feet were lifted up unto the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime.
Joshua 4:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,
16Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan.
17Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of the Jordan.
18And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah were come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests` feet were lifted up unto the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime.
19And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.
20And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, did Joshua set up in Gilgal.
21And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
← Joshua 4:17Joshua 4:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, etc.] According to the command of Joshua in the name of the Lord: [and] the soles of the priests’ feet were lift up upon the dry land; and set upon it, on the bank of Jordan, and shores of the land of Canaan: that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place; those that came from above, and had stood on an heap, gradually came down into the channel, and those below that were cut off returned: and flowed over all his banks, as [they did] before; and usually did at this time of the year, (see <060315>Joshua 3:15); so that there was no decrease or loss of the waters by…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark . . . were come out of the midst of Jordan . . . that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place--Their crossing, which was the final act, completed the evidence of the miracle; for then, and not till then, the suspended laws of nature were restored, the waters returned to their place, and the river flowed with as full a current as before.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their place - Returned into their proper channel, according to their natural and usual course. Joshua 4:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:18 After Israel crossed the river, the Jordan overflowed its banks as before. These events could not occur without God’s intervention.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the soles: Jos 3:13, Jos 3:15 lifted up: Heb. plucked up that the waters: As soon as the priests and the ark were come up out of Jordan, the waters of the river, which had stood on a heap, flowed down according to their natural and usual course, and again soon filled the channel. This make it abundantly evident, that the miraculous change which had been given to the river was not from any secret natural cause, but solely by the power of God, and for the sake of his chosen people; for when Israel's host had passed through, and the token of his presence was removed, immediately the waters went forward again, so that if it be asked, "What aileth thee, O Jordan, that thou wast driven back?" it…”
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Sources and verification